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REGIONAL COMMUNITIES > Self Help Modules

Self Help Modules

The New South Wales Department of State and Regional Development's (DSRD) Main Street/Small Towns Program has developed a series of comprehensive community economic development self-help modules. They are available here to download.

 
We've also created a list of useful websites for regional community economic development practitioners.

Download the Modules Summary to find out the background on the modules and an overview of the issues covered by each module.

Material posted on this website is Crown copyright (see the Department's policy) For other than personal, in-house or non-commercial use please contact Anne Pitchers at anne.pitchers@business.nsw.gov.au for permission.

Overview of the modules.

Module 1: Local Financial Sustainability
Includes detailed information and ideas for fundraising.

Module 2: Financial Reporting and Management
Spreadsheets and budgets in detail.

Module 3: Collaboration and Strategic Planning
A step-by-step guide to strategic planning and making workshops work.

Module 4: Project Management
A clear, practical guide to project management.

Module 5: Monitoring and Evaluation
Good reasons to implement a monitoring process; includes case studies.

Module 6: The Local Committee
How to get your Main Street/Small Town Program started.

Module 7: The Local Coordinator
Setting up and recruiting for a coordinator position.

Module 8: Conducting Meetings
Meeting procedures, the chairperson, agendas and minute taking.

Module 9: Business and Economic Development
This module outlines the economic context within which local Main Street/Small Towns Programs operate and explains the direct linkages between local community development programs and business development.

Module 10: Customer Service
This module is presented in two parts: Customer service and the Main Street/Small Towns Program explains why the whole community needs to be customer focused. Improving customer service in your area looks at overall customer service standards throughout the local community. These sections provide practical tools for assessing a town's customer service standard and suggestions for how to improve it

Module 11: New Technologies in Economic Development
The Internet and e-business and how they can help community development.

Module 12: Marketing and Promotion
Marketing and promotion is designed to assist Main Street/Small Towns committees and their co-ordinators in taking a practical approach to marketing. The module shows newcomers a simple step by step process for developing a marketing plan. It also offers experienced co-ordinators the latest ideas and innovations in marketing along with some tricks of the trade to save time and money.

Module 13: Tourism
Tourism is designed to assist Main Street/Small Towns committees and their co-ordinators in assessing the tourism potential of their area and to provide directions for entering the marketplace and growing tourism as a local industry.

Module 14: Event Management
A 'how to' guide to assist economic development officers/ coordinators, marketers and community groups to understand the role of events in communities and how to make them successful. It includes an event plan proforma, event survey, attendee survey, business survey and stall holders survey.


For more information

Regional Development Division | +61 2 9338 6719 | DSRDced@business.nsw.gov.au